Racial Trauma Treatment

Current Study Underway

There has been very little research about how to help people suffering from racial trauma. Hemmings and Evans (2018) investigated counseling professionals' experiences with identifying and treating race-based trauma. Of the 106 participants, over 70% reported that they had worked with clients who had experiences with race-based trauma, but 67% had not received training to identify race-based trauma, and 81% had not received any training to treat race-based trauma. This highlights the disparities between health care and the provision of related services. The problem is due in part to the lack of research on treatments for racial trauma.

Designed and supervised by Dr. Monnica Williams, this study aims to determine if symptoms of racial trauma can be treated using a suite of evidence-based techniques ("Racial Stress and Trauma Treatment Protocol”). As such, this study asks: (1) Does administration of the Racial Stress and Trauma Treatment Protocol result in a decrease of racial trauma symptoms in participants? and (2) If so, is this decrease in symptoms sustained post-treatment?

Participants of this pilot study will complete the Racial Stress and Trauma Treatment Protocol with a trained Treatment Facilitator at a mutually convenient time. Before starting, they will undertake a 90-minute intake session. The protocol itself includes 12 sessions, each 60-minutes in length, designed to take place over a three-month period. Sessions will occur via Zoom. Sample session activities include learning about the nature of racism in Canada and practicing healthy coping skills for experiences of racism.

In addition to session attendance, participants will complete certain questionnaires over the course of the study to help the research team better understand if and how the protocol is working. From week to week there will also be homework activities for the participants to undertake. To acknowledge participant efforts, each participant will be paid $210 for completion of the treatment protocol.

Learn more about this project:

Read about our study therapist facilitators
Contact us: Sophia Gran-Ruaz (Project Coordinator).
Ethics approval: uOttawa REB approved Consent form (pdf)

Source: Hemmings, C., & Evans, A. (2018). Identifying and Treating Race-Based Trauma in Counseling. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 46(1), 20–39. doi: 10.1002/jmcd.12090

Racial Stress and Trauma Treatment Protocol

Healing the Pain of Racism

The Racial Stress and Trauma Treatment Protocol has roots in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), as well as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Moreover, the protocol can be broken down into three parts termed: (1) stabilization; (2) healing; and (3) empowerment.

Part 1: Stabilization. Those experiencing racial trauma are forced to do so in an environment that continues to perpetuate and add traumatic experiences of racism. To start the healing process, participants of the protocol must first understand the wide-reaching effects of racism and its connection with the racial trauma (and other conditions) they are experiencing. Work is also done in Part 1 to facilitate the participant surrounding themselves with the necessary supports needed for the difficult healing work ahead.

Part 2: Healing. Part 2 serves to initiate the healing process. As such, participants engage in guided processing of the participant’s most upsetting experiences of racism. Space is also carved out in the participant’s life to minimize exposure to additional experiences of racism while they continue their healing journey.

Part 3: Empowerment. Part 3 is focused on enabling participants to re-establish power and control over the barriers of racism they face. Further, Part 3 aims to provide participants with the tools and confidence needed to advocate for themselves when faced with future experiences of racism.

Williams, M. T., Holmes, S., Zare, M. Haeny, A. H., & Faber, S. C. (2023). An evidence-based approach for treating stress and trauma due to racism. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 30(4), 565-588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2022.07.001

Racial trauma, also called race-based traumatic stress, is the cumulative effects of racism on an person's mental health

Racial Trauma Treatment Research

Publications from Our Lab

Williams, M. T., Osman, M., Gran-Ruaz, S., & Lopez, J. (2021). Intersection of racism and PTSD: Assessment and treatment of racism-related stress and trauma. Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry, 8, 167–185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40501-021-00250-2

Halstead, M., Reed, S., Krause, R., & Williams, M. T. (2021). Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD related to experiences of racial discrimination. Clinical Case Studies, 20(4), 310-330. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534650121990894

Carlson, M. D., Endsley, M., Motley, D., Shawahin, L. N., & Williams, M. T. (2018). Addressing the impact of racism on veterans of color: A race-based stress and trauma group. Psychology of Violence, 8(6), 748-762. https://doi.org/10.1037/vio0000221

Williams, M. T., Malcoun, E., Sawyer, B., Davis, D. M., Bahojb-Nouri, L. V., & Leavell Bruce, S. (2014). Cultural Adaptations of Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Treatment and Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in African Americans. Behavioral Sciences, 4(2), 102-124. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs4020102

Video Resources

Williams, M. T. (2020). The Trauma of Racism: Assessment and Treatment Techniques for Trauma Rooted in Racism. PESI. (3 CE's)

Williams, M. T. & Wetterneck, C. (2022). Racial Trauma Treatment: A 12-Session CBT Protocol. PESI. (6 CE's)

Racial trauma, also called race-based traumatic stress, is the cumulative effects of racism on an person's mental health. It has been linked to anxiety, depression, despair, and suicidal ideation, as well as physical health issues.